ASEAN urged to step up cooperation on vaccination, mental health - Erywan

KUALA LUMPUR: Brunei's Foreign Minister II Erywan Mohd Yusof called on all ASEAN members to step up cooperation in the vaccination drive against COVID-19, and in addressing mental health issues.

Erywan, who is also ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, said this will contribute towards community-building measures to ensure that the welfare of ASEAN people is protected, both physically and mentally.

While it is reassuring to see many countries in the region embarking on extensive programmes to vaccinate their population, there were many who have yet to reap the same benefits.

In striving to support the regional economic infrastructure, he pointed out that it is imperative for the regional bloc to first protect the "engine of growth" - its people.

"Vaccinating our population is, therefore, a gateway to being able to open up our economies and connect the region by facilitating to the best extent possible essential movement of people, including business travels and tourism,"he said.

What is less visible, however, but equally as important is the fact that the pandemic has affected the mental health and well-being of adults, youth, and children alike.

"We must take early actions to address this issue that we will see a mental health crisis that is far bigger than this pandemic in 10 to 15 years' time.

"Therefore, we (ASEAN) look forward to the adoption of the East Asia Summit leaders statement on mental health cooperation at the upcoming East Asia Summit," he said adding that ensuring the health and well-being of the people is essential in determining the path to a sustainable economic recovery.

The forum, themed "Rebuilding ASEAN Towards Sustainable Recovery", was co-organised by the KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific and The Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur.

The keynote address of the forum was delivered by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri..

Among the forum's special addresses were also presented by the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana; and Minister of Commerce, Cambodia, Pan Sorasak.

-- BERNAMA